Balenciaga sells US$2000 tote bag that looks like IKEA's 99¢ bag, IKEA pokes fun at them - Sensationalist Headlines

[QUOTE=DarklytheGreat;52138091]Okay then, if you're going to be a smug asshole, explain luxury items to us in a way that [I]doesn't[/I] make you sound like a pretentious twit.[/QUOTE] Brand name, exclusiveness, prestige. The bag in OP still probably costs a fair amount to make between top quality leather, whatever material is lining the inside, and putting it together by hand. Not $2000 expensive, but still expensive compared to your average tote bag. It's not a rich people thing either. Streetwear follows the same concept, and that's fine.

[QUOTE=The freeman;52138349]It's not a rich people thing either. Streetwear follows the same concept, and that's fine.[/QUOTE] I would argue a $2000 bag is a rich people thing. Rich enough to have $2000 to throw around without consideration. I don't know anyone who can just throw around thousands of dollars without thinking about it.

[QUOTE=DarklytheGreat;52138091]Okay then, if you're going to be a smug asshole, explain luxury items to us in a way that [I]doesn't[/I] make you sound like a pretentious twit.[/QUOTE] Build quality, aesthetic design, heritage, and prestige. The latter two are what you pay the most for but luxury goods are almost always very well-made.

[QUOTE=Marik Bentusi;52129601]Don't people usually buy these super-expensive products mostly for brand value anyway?[/QUOTE] Yep. Why buy a $600 Epiphone when you can spend $3999 on a Gibson no one will be able to tell the difference if not for the writing on the head stock. I don't go for the whole 'buying the badge'. If something's just as good then it's just as good, I don't care if it sports the "better brand" But a lot of people do

whoa I didn't expect the airing of next episode to come so soon [sp]seriously guys, outrageously priced prestige goods are a booming industry. It doesn't take a rich cunt (who I am not) to understand their appeal.[/sp]

[QUOTE=Zang-Pog;52139714]What is the appeal? They're expensive so it must mean they're good? Having an item that's ridiculously overpriced somehow makes the person who owns it appear better? If you understand it so well, maybe you could shed some light on the subject since to me it all seems like a bunch of suckers buying crap with a brand on them for status among other suckers[/QUOTE] Conspicuous consumption. They want to flaunt their wealth by buying luxury goods and/or services to show how rich they are, for the sake of social status.

people will also cough up for certain brands not to show how wealthy they are, but to align themselves with that brand's philosophy/identity. consequently, brands make their products extra expensive so that only people who are dead-serious about aligning with the brand will be able to access it—whether it's pocket change to them or they had to save up for it. you'd think a company would just want to sell as much stuff as possible, but when label matters so much, controlling who is seen using your stuff is crucial so various measures are taken to make the items hard to obtain. it's fine to think what you want of this behavior/practice but don't act so fucking confused as to why people are willing to spend a lot of money on things that make them feel good. [sp]then again, I know people in this thread are just asking "why???" to prove a point and don't actually want to have a discussion about the topic[/sp]

Yeah tbh I'm into some of this designer/brand name clothing stuff (Bape, CDG, etc.). Although for the most part they're not nearly as expensive, in comparison at least. Like $100-200 for a t-shirt. A $2k bag seems excessive but whatever.

[QUOTE=danjee;52140315]people will also cough up for certain brands not to show how wealthy they are, but to align themselves with that brand's philosophy/identity. consequently, brands make their products extra expensive so that only people who are dead-serious about aligning with the brand will be able to access it—whether it's pocket change to them or they had to save up for it. you'd think a company would just want to sell as much stuff as possible, but when label matters so much, controlling who is seen using your stuff is crucial so various measures are taken to make the items hard to obtain. it's fine to think what you want of this behavior/practice but don't act so fucking confused as to why people are willing to spend a lot of money on things that make them feel good. [sp]then again, I know people in this thread are just asking "why???" to prove a point and don't actually want to have a discussion about the topic[/sp][/QUOTE] So basically it's just elitism?

[QUOTE=Ishwoo;52130878]Reminds me of the £185 vetements DHL tshirt which sold out within minutes.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Alec W;52131118]honestly fuck that shirt, I totally gave up on vetements after that.[/QUOTE] Demna Gvasalia (the guy in charge of Vetements) was appointed the creative director of Balenciaga in 2015, it's literally the same dude. He's also responsible for the Bernie Sanders-inspired graphics from the men's show a few months ago: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UdNo5uc.jpg[/IMG] Cristobal Balenciaga's work from the early 20th century was actually game-changing stuff (women's fashion wouldn't have cocoon coats, babydoll dresses, even some types of fabric without him). Now that Demna is in charge of a fashion house with a history of couture and putting out glorified Ikea bags, he's totally changed what the brand stands for and it probably also means a change in the consumer demographic for the brand as well (from old rich ladies to kids who think "ironic" capitalism is cool).